I sent in a volunteer application… now what?

Thank you so much for your interest in supporting us — we couldn’t do it without our amazing program of volunteers! After you submit your application, you should receive an auto-email confirming your application was received for review. Within 7-10 days, someone from the Volunteer Department will be in contact with you to set up a phone call to discuss your interest further.

What happens on my first day of volunteering at Lifelong?

After your phone call with a member of the Lifelong Volunteer Department, you will receive a confirmation email that has all the information you need for your first shift. Please go to the address listed on your confirmation email. For your first shift, you will be shown how to sign in and out, the general area of the volunteer space and building, and given a brief training before you start your first shift.

Volunteering at the Lucile Warehouse: Please ring the doorbell on the furthest right door and wait to a staff to open the door. You will then see a sign that will provide you directions to the volunteer space. 

Volunteering at one of Lifelong’s Administrative Offices: In the confirmation email, you will be given specific directions (if any) to enter the building. Once there, you can inform a Lifelong Staff that you are here for your first volunteer shift and they will help you from there. 

Volunteering at a Lifelong event: Before the event, you will receive day-of details including a contact number. If you cannot find the meeting space, please use the contact number provided. 

Where can I park when I drive to Lifelong’s buildings?

In your confirmation email, you will receive specific information about parking and transportation. Please know that at most of our locations, parking can be limited, and we encourage our volunteers to use other modes of transportation when available. Lifelong cannot be held responsible for tickets or towing fees which may occur due to improper parking.

What should I wear when volunteering? 

In general, Lifelong has a business casual dress code. Volunteer dress and grooming are encouraged to be relaxed, yet neat and clean. Lifelong is not responsible for providing appropriate clothing or shoes, both of which must be worn at all times anywhere within the agency. If your specific volunteer role has certain dress requirements, this will be included in your volunteer confirmation email.

Can I just show up for a volunteer shift without signing up for one first? 

We schedule volunteers based on capacity, need, and staffing so all volunteers need to be on the volunteer schedule beforehand. This also includes adding additional volunteers to your group without confirming with the Lifelong Volunteer Department staff. For individual volunteers, please utilize VicNet to alter or add shifts. Group volunteers can work directly with the assigned Lifelong Volunteer Department staff member. 

The shift times do not work for me, can I just come whenever? 

Our volunteer shifts are pre-determined, scheduled times that best fit the needs of our programs. Program staff use volunteer shifts to know when and how much support they’ll be receiving on any given shift, day, and throughout the week. We schedule volunteers based on capacity, need, and staffing. These are set times and we ask that all volunteers adhere to the start and end shift times and volunteer shift duration. 

How do I tell someone I can’t come in for my shift?

Once you’ve had your phone call with a member of the Volunteer Department, you will be sent a confirmation email that details all the information you need to begin volunteering. Depending on which volunteer role you’ll be volunteering for, you will either receive the contact information or one-pager of information for the program staff that you can contact with any changes to your volunteer schedule.

Please note that because we work diligently to schedule volunteers based on needs, it can be extremely hard for our programs when volunteers call out unexpectedly. While we do understand that life things happen, when volunteers call out last minute, it can be a burden on our staff and also prevent other people from being able to volunteer during that time. 

What should I do if Lifelong is closed and I am scheduled to volunteer?

If Lifelong is closed or will be opening late due to inclement weather, the Lifelong Website will have a pop-up with more information about the closure based on location. Lifelong follows the decision of public schools in that area. 

Lifelong does close on major holidays. You will receive an email from the Volunteer Department regarding holiday closings. Additionally, this information will be included in the Volunteer Monthly Newsletter which is sent at the end of each month. 

I am a former Lifelong Volunteer and I would like to start volunteering again. 

That’s wonderful! You can send an email to volunteer@lifelong.org and a member of the Lifelong Volunteer Department will get back to you with more information about current opportunities and how to get re-started.

Do I get compensated or reimbursed for my volunteering?

Individuals accepting any position as volunteers will not be compensated for their work.  In addition, volunteers will not receive reimbursement for mileage, parking, supplies, or anything purchased without prior authorization from the Volunteer Department. Lifelong cannot pay any fines, tickets, towing, or any other bills received while doing volunteer work.

Can I bring my pet to volunteer with me?

Pets are prohibited on-site at Lifelong, including during volunteer delivery shifts and special events.  Service animals are the only animals allowed on the Lifelong premises. Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets. Service animals must be kept at arm’s length and under control at all times or they will no longer be considered service animals and will not be permitted at Lifelong.  

What happens if there is a problem while I volunteer?

When working with so many moving parts and people, something may not go according to plan. If you need support at any point during your volunteer shift, please immediately inform a Lifelong staff. Depending on the situation, they may need to create an Incident Report for our records and send it to the Volunteer Department. The Volunteer Department may check in with you to make sure everything is ok, though if you want to reach them directly, please call 206-957-1636.

I’m sick. Should I still volunteer?

If you are not feeling well for any reason, please do not come in for your volunteer shift. Because we serve clients with compromised immune systems and serious illnesses, we ask that volunteers do not report for their shift if they are sick. You may feel fine and not contagious, though please know that you are potentially putting Lifelong staff, volunteers, and clients at risk. 

Do you keep a record of my volunteer hours? Volunteers are required to record all of their volunteer hours with Lifelong. This helps us keep track of our vast individual and group volunteer program and to allow us to best understand the impact of the Volunteer Program. Your confirmation email will let you know about the sign in and sign out process.

Can I promote Lifelong to my friends on social media?

Lifelong is all about sharing – meals, smiles, and what's going on! We encourage you to post, tweet, and share your experience volunteering at Lifelong.  

• Our Instagram account is @LifelongWA

• Our Facebook is Facebook.com/LifelongWA

For those of you who may interact directly with clients, whether by delivering or volunteering at the Food and Nutrition Center, you can never include clients in the photo. Make sure they are not in the background. Only photos of you, Lifelong staff, and volunteers (providing they are OK with that!) are allowed.